BAILEY, Dennis Gary

Dennis Gary Bailey, beloved husband of wife Betty passed away on June 2, 2013 in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 72 years.

Dennis was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 21, 1941. He graduated from Gordon Bell High School in 1958, and then took a position with TransCanada Airlines where he could fulfill some of his avionic dreams & aspirations. When TCA moved their base to Montreal, he went on to University of Manitoba to earn a C.I.M. designation. Dennis was proud of his service as an Air Force Reservist, 402 Squadron in Winnipeg for fourteen years, starting as a Cadet and ending as an Engineering Officer. He arrived in Calgary in 1982 with his wife and kids and then went on to open their first of four Boston Pizza Restaurants in 1987. He won many prestigious awards and was a proud twenty-five year Franchisee.

Dennis was a proud husband, father, papa (grandpa) and friend. As President of the Pettigrew Irish Dance Academy, he was very involved with the Irish dancing community. He was on the board of the Arbour Lake Residence Association and President from January 1999 to June 2006. He was also the President of Hanger M Association at Springbank Airport. Dennis enjoyed a variety of adrenalin filled hobbies including Scuba Diving, waterskiing, sailing, flying, as well as playing the organ, singing, entertaining and computers. His passion for flying included many amazing achievements, such as earning his Private Pilots license at the young age of 68, following that with his IFR and Float Plane certification.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Lynx Ridge Golf Club (8 Lynx Ridge Blvd NW) on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. with a blue jean dress code. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to Department of Oncology (Dr. Scot Dowden), Tom Baker Cancer Center. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the wonderful staff at Intensive Palliative Care Unit at the Tom Baker Cancer Clinic.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. May the wonderful memories you all shared together comfort you in this time of sadness and loss. Dennis will be missed by all that knew him, especially his Boston Pizza family.
love and hugs Cheryl and family

Well Dennis we grew up together in the Royal Canadian Air Force, you know how close of a friendship we had, I will miss you dearly. Our Air Force Motto is Per Ardua Ad Astra, to those who don’t know what it means, “Through Adversity to the Stars”. So Dennis you have gone through your adversity, and are now amoungst the Stars. See you again Buddy when it is my turn to be amoungst the Stars. Miss you dearly.

Betty and Family,
Carol & I were saddened to hear of Dennis’s passing. Dennis had a great zest for life and never feared a challenge. Our fondest memories of Dennis are from LacLu. He was always happy, smiling with an infectious laugh. We are thinking of you in your time of grief, and trust time is kind to you all. Our sincere condolences, Rod and Carolyn.
Ps, the ‘blue jean dress code’, nice touch – just what Dennis would want.

“To the Bailey family: What a void the passing of Dennis will make in your wonderful family circle. It is with much sadness we send our sincere condolences to you. We hope your many fond memories of Dennis will comfort you in the days to come”

My deepest sympathies go out to Betty and the Bailey family. Dennis was a kind and generous member of the community. His honesty and desire to “cut the nonsense and get to the point” meant time and energy were never wasted on frivolous matters. Much was accomplished on Dennis’ watch. He will be missed.